Briars and Jay Birds

Chapter 2

Pain. That was Briarpaw's world. So. Much. Pain. She wanted to cry out but her voice refused to work. She opened her eyes but everything was dark.

Is this it for me?

Am I on my way to Starclan?

Another flash of pain blazed through her broken body.

But I was going to be a warrior....

Wait what about Blossompaw and Bumblepaw?!

Are they okay?!

She pictured her siblings: sweet and determined Blossompaw, and kind, oblivious Bumblepaw. Blood pounded in her ears. Suddenly she heard numerous muffled, worried voices.

Starclan?

The voices solidified and she was astounded to hear her mother's voice wailing. The sound of branches shifting prompted her to weakly lift her head and open her eyes. Though her vision was blurred, she managed to make out the golden brown tabby face of Lionblaze, staring at her with a look of utter horror on his face.

She croaked weakly, "I can't move", praying to Starclan that he could hear her faint whisper.

The beech trembled and she heard herself shriek aloud.

Starclan help me!

Briarpaw was vaguely aware of the voices of the panicked cats around her. All of a sudden she found herself staring into the yellow eyes of her father, Graystripe. He lunged forward and roughly grabbed her scruff in his jaws, his panic making his movements harsh.

She squealed half in pain, half in terror and felt Lionblaze knock her father away.

"You'll kill her!" He warned, glaring at Graystripe who's eyes were wide in fear for his daughter.

She was aware of the roof being lifted and light flooded into the den. How this was possible, she didn't know but before she had time to think, her father had her scruff again, this time with a much gentler grasp.

She felt dazed. She was off in her own world at this point. A world full of terror and pain. She whimpered as she felt Graystripe drag her out of the den, and flinched as the tree fell again with an enormous crash.

"My kit, oh my poor precious kit," Her mother was almost suffocating her with her worry and she was aware of Blossompaw and Bumblepaw running over to bury their heads into Graystripe.

I'm not dead mousebrains!

She was exhausted. Every bone in her body hurt and she felt as if she could sleep for a moon. She couldn't breathe. It felt as if her lungs were closed and she gasped for air.

Great Starclan! I may not be trapped but I'm going to die!

"Out of my way!" Jayfeather's snap cut through her panic and she felt him sniff her pelt.

"Will Briarpaw be ok?" She heard her brother's whimper and was shocked at how small he sounded. Did she really look that bad?

My paws hurt, my back hurts, my head hurts, my legs... Wait? What about my legs?

Despite her agony she concentrated on trying to shift her legs, and she felt her heart flutter in panic upon finding she couldn't.

Why can't I move my legs?!!

"I can't feel my hind legs!", Briarpaw croaked. Her throat felt as dry as dust and she struggled to open her eyes.

She fought the wave of black that threatened to sweep her away into unconsciousness, and lapped at the thyme Leafpool applied to her lips.

Scenting her parents, she opened her eyes just long enough to ask: "Where are my back legs? Are they still there?"

The last sound she heard was Millie's shrill wail as she succumbed to darkness.